UND Boosts Coach Dane Jackson’s Contract After Championship Run
- Nishadil
- July 21, 2026
- 0 Comments
- 2 minutes read
- 10 Views
- Save
- Follow Topic
North Dakota rewards Dane Jackson with a hefty raise and new incentives following a Penrose Cup and Frozen Four appearance
A year after taking the helm, Coach Dane Jackson sees his salary jump to $620,000 with annual raises, while his staff also lands new deals, thanks to strong on‑ice results and donor support.
It’s not every day a college hockey program rewrites a coach’s contract after just one season, but that’s exactly what the University of North Dakota did for Dane Jackson. After guiding the Fighting Hawks to a Penrose Cup, a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four and a surge in recruiting, athletic director Bill Chaves announced a major amendment to Jackson’s deal, still running through the 2029‑30 season.
Jackson’s base salary jumps to $620,000 this year, with $35,000 increments built in for each of the next three campaigns, capping at $725,000 in the final year. On top of the base pay, a slew of performance bonuses—ranging from $7,500 for an NCHC playoff title to $70,000 for a national championship—could push the total even higher. The university also tacked on an extra $15,000 if the team reaches the Frozen Four and $30,000 for a championship win.
Jackson isn’t the only one seeing a check‑size bump. Associate head coach Matt Smaby, GM Bryn Chyzyk and assistant coach Dillon Simpson all inked fresh three‑year agreements with noticeable raises, the financing for which comes largely from private donors who have rallied behind the program.
“Our expectation at North Dakota is to compete for championships, and Dane and his staff delivered a remarkable first season that reaffirmed the standard of our hockey program,” Chaves said. He added that the generosity of supporters made it possible to enhance Jackson’s contract while also stabilizing the rest of the leadership team.
The numbers matter, too. Jackson’s original $400,000 salary lagged behind peers such as Minnesota’s Brett Larson ($700,000) and Michigan’s Brandon Naurato ($715,000). By closing that gap, UND signals it wants to keep pace with the elite of college hockey.
Jackson, in turn, thanked university president Andy Armacost, Chaves, the alumni and the fan base. “I’m especially proud of our coaching and support staffs,” he said, emphasizing the collective effort that turned a promising start into a championship‑contending reality.
Editorial note: Nishadil may use AI assistance for news drafting and formatting. Readers can report issues from this page, and material corrections are reviewed under our editorial standards.
